Easter! Almost done with the challenge...

Last night, after all of the lovely Easter festivities, church, egg painting/hiding/finding, LOTS of food, and time with family, we finally arrived home pretty late, and it dawned on me that I had not yet done my 30 Day Shred workout for the day. I REALLY did not want to workout last night. In fact, I almost shrugged it off. I told my husband, "what if I just do two workouts tomorrow? Would that count?"

Ultimately, it was the whole idea of Easter that pushed me to complete my daily workout. Life. Living. That is what Easter is all about; the amazing miracle and gift that this life is, and that life can, and will, continue. It's about life, and the resurrection as proof of continuing life.

So, I decided that I needed to put more value in the gift that is my life. And be grateful for it. I did work out. It was hard, and more than a little awful, but I felt good after doing it. Easter inspired me this year in so many ways. But the biggest way it inspired me was by filling me with a feeling of how precious and wonderful the gift of life is. I want to take care of my body so that I can live my life on this earth to the fullest, however long that is, and take care of the gift of my body.

I hope all of you in reader land had a wonderful Easter. And if you don't celebrate Easter, I hope the sun was shining wherever you are, and birds were singing, and that the evidence that spring will come and life will be renewed warmed you up and made your heart sing. I know mine was singing yesterday!

By the way, after today I will be halfway through level 3. Only 5 days left until I've complete the 30 days of my 30 day shred challenge. It was hard, but I'm proving to myself that I can do hard things. Especially if it means getting healthy, and un-frumpy. Totally worth it. Watch for some tasty recipes to come!

Epiphany...and level 3!

All I have to say is, HO-LEE-MO-LEE!!! Level 3 is INTENSE! I only thought I got sweaty before. Good news, less plank positions than level two. Bad news, Jillian makes up for it with plyometrics. Ouch. In case you didn't know, that basically means jump training. It gets your heart pumping super fast. I can BARELY manage the modified version of the last minute of abs. It's hard. But, I just finished my second day and I feel like a conqueror.

I never updated you on my weight. I've only lost a little under a pound since last week. I was surprised, and disappointed, but I know I'm gaining muscle, so I won't worry too much. Also, I know I could be making better food choices and drinking much more water. I've stayed under my calories, but the foods I picked to fill those calories weren't always the wisest ones. Hopefully in these last eight days I can really pull off a miracle.

Other big news, I decided that I was losing my passion for my work (photography) because I wasn't really doing what I love. In this area, weddings and family/group portraits are where the money is, so that's most of what I was shooting. But every time I have a shoot I just feel sick and dread it for up to a week before. So, I decided, if I'm making over the rest of my life, why not that? I will focus my photography down and only shoot what I love, one on one portraits, like infants, children, senior portraits, and other one on one assignments. I don't even mind two or three people in a shot. I just hate big groups and lots of posing. I like capturing what's there naturally. That's why I only use artificial lighting when it's absolutely necessary. I like capturing what is there, and what is beautiful naturally. Natural light, natural expressions, natural poses. I figure if I can find passion and enjoyment in my work, it's worth more than any amount of money, and dreading work, can get me.

Depression...totally FRUMPY!

Hey beautiful people out there in (perhaps make believe) reader land. I've been debating and debating over whether or not to post this next little piece, but ultimately came to the conclusion that I should. The whole reason I started The Formerly Frumpy Mama was because I needed some positive change in my life, and I hoped that by sharing those changes I'd be more motivated to keep going. Even if I'm only writing for me, if it pushes me, I need to continue.

Well, onto the dirty stuff. There are so many things to overcome on the path to un-frumpiness, bad eating habits, laziness, messiness, etc. I've discovered though, that everything in life is intertwined. If I'm struggling with depression, it will effect every positive thing I'm trying to do in my life.

Depression has been an unwelcome houseguest in my life, off and on, for many years. Right after high school I was medicated for it, but found that I liked myself even less, and felt more crazy, on the pills, so I stopped taking them. (I was on Zoloft, in case anyone was wondering.) Over a year ago, I went back to counseling for the second or third time in my adult life. My counselor is awesome, and, as it had in past experiences, I noticed it helping me bring positivity back into my life almost immediately. I only need a few weeks worth of sessions and I started feeling like a much better, much happier, version of myself.

Well, the last few weeks have been rough. And in the last few days, it's really intensified. The other day the sun was actually shining and all I could do was stare out the window and hate it for shining when my insides remained bleak and stormy. It makes it hard for me to want to exercise, and eat healthy, and take care of myself, to be an attentive, and loving/patient mother. It's absolutely awful. The worst part is that I can look at my beautiful little girls, who I love so much, and my sweet, patient husband, and in my mind I know that I am SO lucky, and should be SO happy everyday, but I still can't swim out of the murkiness. It's not fair to them, or to me.

So, this morning, even though I REALLY didn't want to, as I sat in my baggy sweats all un-showered and wishing I could just stay in bed, I made a decision. I called and made an appointment with my counselor. Like I said before, this isn't something I'm excited to share. But I do think it's valuable.

With one of my former counselors, I developed an analogy that helped me figure out how I function well. I am like a car. I run on four wheels and tires. If one of those tires is flat, the car isn't moving. I have to keep up all the tires to keep myself rolling. My four tires are my physical health, my emotional/psychological health, my social health, and my spiritual health. If I'm really hurting in one of these areas, I won't be able to function in the others either. So it's time for me to pay a little more attention to where I'm "flat," and get it repaired so I can get rolling again.

If you are struggling with a flat, get some help if you need it, get it fixed, and get rolling again. There should be NO shame in wanting to run at your best. Take care of yourself. THAT is how you best become un-frumpy. Here is me wishing you luck, and hoping you will do the same in return.

P.S. I just got referred to an awesome site, and if you struggle like I do with this, I really suggest you check it out HERE.

Cream of Potato and Bacon Soup

I first saw this as Baked Potato Soup on Skinny Taste and made some changes. I am not a bacon fan, but I love potato soup, and using turkey bacon wasn't quite as bad as the real thing. I also decided to do it in the pressure cooker, leave out the baking part, and cook the bacon into the soup for more flavor. It turned out really well. My husband and daughter loved it. I love using cauliflower in potato recipes. I do it all the time with mashed potatoes to lower calories and up vitamins. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

2 Potato, diced
Cauliflower, 1 head, large, chopped
Chicken Broth, 1.5 Cup
1% Milk, 1.5 Cup
Low Fat Sour Cream, 1/2 cup
Sharp, Shredded, Cheddar Cheese, 1/2 cup
Chives - Raw, 6 tbsp
Turkey Bacon With Sea Salt, 4 Slice
Spices - Pepper, 1 tsp
Sea Salt, 1/4 tsp

In a pressure cooker, begin to cook bacon over medium heat. When it starts to brown, add potato and cauliflower. Saute with bacon for a couple of minutes. Add broth, milk, salt, and pepper. Turn up heat and bring to boil. Apply lid. Bring pressure to second red ring. Stabilize. Cook for 15 minutes. Let pressure release using natural release method. Add sour cream. Blend together using immersion stick blender. When smooth, serve with cheese and chives. YUM!

MFP nutritional info, 4 servings, each has: 271 calories 11 grams of fat 15 grams of protein 647 milligrams of sodium

Update....and photos....eeeeek!

So, remember those flower clips I made for my daughter's third birthday? I thought I'd show you what they look like in action. If you missed it and want to make some, here is a quick link back to that post.

I also wanted to let you all know that tomorrow is my LAST day on level two!!! I can't believe how fast the last twenty days flew by. And I'm TERRIFIED for Thursday and level 3. I'm still doing modified versions and shaky afterward on level 2. But I will do it. And I will finish out my shred challenge, however hard it is. Life is hard. Being a mother is hard. But I'm not backing out of either of those challenges either. And, I will be un-frumpy someday too. Even if it's really, really hard getting there.

I told you all I MIGHT have update pictures. I will weigh in again tomorrow, but tonight I'll post the only pictures I've allowed. I'm blocking myself in both, which I do without thinking. But I'll put them up. Let me know if you think there's a change.



Before (On the first or second day of the challenge)




After (app. halfway through the shred challenge)

Cadbury Mini Eggs Cookies

All I have to say is, plan these into your day ahead of time, and make sure you have people to share with because, just like the candies that inspired them, you won't be able to stop eating these things! I first saw the recipe here and it was love at first sight. But I knew I could significantly lower the amount of calories and sugar per cookie by using splenda instead of traditional sugar and brown sugar. This is no way means they're good for you, but they are tasty, and a little healthier than the original. Enjoy! Thank you girls at Our Best Bites for being absolute geniuses.

Crisco, 1/2 cup
Butter, 1/2 cup
Splenda (for Baking), 1 Cup
Egg Large, 2 Egg
Vanilla extract, 1 1/2 tsp
Baking Powder, 1 tsp
Pure Baking Soda, 1 tsp
Salt, 1/2 tsp
Flour, 2 1/2 cup
Baking Cocoa unsweetened, 6 tbsp
Cadbury Mini Eggs, 1 10oz container (Empty into a Ziploc and crush them into pieces. Reserve some of the bigger/prettier pieces to smash onto the tops.)
Splenda Brown Sugar Blend, 1/2 cup

Preheat oven to 350. Combine butter, crisco, splenda, splenda brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a mixer. (LOVE my Bosch for cookies!) Cream together until smooth. In a mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with the mixer going on a low speed. Mix until ingredients are all combined and the dough pulls away from the sides of the mixer. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop the dough into app. 2" balls onto a silpat lined (or sprayed) cookie sheet. You should end up with 24 cookies, 12 per cookie sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven, let sit on cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes, then transfer to clean counter top or cooling racks. (The cookies won't really look done, but trust me, they are. They'll be a little crispy outside and soft inside. My husband said it was like a brownie in cookie form with Cadbury mini eggs...YUM!) Makes 24 cookies.

MFP nutritional info: 24 cookies, each has: 197 calories 11 grams of fat 3 grams of protein 163 milligrams of sodium

Tuna Curry and Aloo Palak

I don't know about you guys, but I hate even the smell of tuna. Yuck. But, for some odd reason, I always seem to have cans and cans of the stuff lying around, waiting to be used. I guess it's because it's cheap and seems practical to have, just in case. Anyway, I decided I needed to use up some of that awful stuff, but it's so hard for me to find recipes that use tuna that I actually enjoy. It happens, but only rarely. Tonight, I found a winner. I got the original idea here and made quite a few changes. The spice of the curry, plus the slight sourness of the sour cream, mixed with the sweet of the pepper and carrot I added, combined to make a very tasty curry, despite the tuna! If I like this, trust me, you tuna haters out there should give it a try. I made the second dish, the original idea here, because I am abounding in potatoes right now and I had half a bunch of spinach just sitting in the fridge awaiting use. The original was a bit too complex for my style, so I made an easier version. I like just about any food with spinach and potato in it, so I'll let you be the judges. Enjoy!

Tuna Curry

Tuna, 2 5oz cans
Light Sour Cream, 3/4 cup
Carrot, 1 medium, shreds/peels
Yellow onion, 1/2 large or 1 cup
Red or Orange bell pepper, 1/2 diced
Celery, 1 large stalk, sliced
Garlic powder, 1 tsp
Curry powder, 1 tbsp (I used red curry powder and the spiciness was perfect. If you use a milder curry powder, I suggest adding a tiny bit of cayenne pepper to balance the fishy taste out.)
Olive Oil cooking spray
Cumin, 1 tsp

Spray a large skillet or wok with cooking spray. Saute onions, pepper, celery, and carrots until onions are clear. Add drained tuna and spices. Saute for another couple of minutes. Add sour cream. Cook until heated through. Serve with rice.

MFP nutritional info, 4 large servings, each has: 160 calories 7 grams of fat 16 grams of protein 246 milligrams of sodium


Aloo Palak(Potato and Spinach Curry)

2 Potatoes, cubed
Baby Spinach Leaves, 6 oz (almost half of a costco package)
Orange Bell Pepper, 1/2 whole
Turmeric, ground, 1/2 tsp
Curry powder, 1 tbsp (I used yellow curry powder for this, a milder version)
Ground Mustard, 1/2 tsp
Onion powder, 1 tsp
Water, 1/4 cup
Sea Salt, 1/4 tsp
Sesame Oil, 2 tablespoon

Saute potatoes, and pepper, in sesame oil until they begin to brown. Add spices, water, and spinach. Stir well and cover. Let cook over medium until spinach is wilted and potatoes are soft. Serve.

MFP nutritional info, 4 servings, each has: 138 calories 7 grams of fat 3 grams of protein 142 milligrams of sodium